Circle Holding - by Julia Davis & Tessa Venuti Sanderson (Paperback)

About the Book

This practical guide teaches yoga professionals how to hold talking and listening circles in order to build connection and community. It offers advice on specific topics such as grief and LGBTQ+ circles as well as in-depth information on circles for children and teens. Each chapter is complete with templates, exercises and interview excerpts.

Book Synopsis

In an increasingly fast-paced world, talking and listening circles are a helpful tool for yoga teachers and other wellbeing professionals to offer connection, build community, and address specific topics in a safe and professional manner. This practical resource guides the reader through the various stages of talking and listening circles, including the initial intention for setting up a circle, opening the circle, sharing guidelines, introducing topics, and closing the circle.

Filled with valuable insights from interviews held with circle holders, this book offers advice on a wide range of topics and styles. This includes grief circles and LGBTQ+ circles, as well as an in-depth chapter on how to work with children and teens, complete with activities and embodiment practices. Written with professionals in mind, it also offers advice on managing group dynamics, the differences between online and in-person circles, and marketing.
Each chapter includes practical exercises, templates, and stories to support you in running your first circle or improving the quality of existing circles.

Review Quotes

Circle Holding by Julia Davis and Tessa Venuti Sanderson is a must-have guide for anyone leading circles. Their passion shines through as they empower you to create safe, supportive spaces for meaningful conversations.
Packed with practical tips and insightful interviews, this book equips you to confidently navigate every step. Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or just starting out, Circle Holding will be your trusted companion on your circle-leading journey.

--Donna Noble, Author of Teaching Body Positive Yoga

Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson take us gently by the hand and invite us to dive into the possibilities for connection and healing that are calling us to hold space for our communities. Deeply practical, it offers step-by-step guidance on everything we need to consider; who to invite, inclusion, venues and online meetings, preparing the space, marketing, support and money are all laid out. An absolute gem, I wish this book had existed before I held circles - it would have saved me heaps of time, energy and heartache.--Kate Codrington, author of Second Spring and The Perimenopause Journal

Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson's clear, approachable discussion of the dynamic process of circle holding in Talking Circles is vital reading for anyone interested in fostering empathy and empowering positive change. It will be extremely useful for my own work in interfaith and cross communal conversations. This is a book that will help build the supportive communities of the future, and enable anyone to access the necessary skills required to set up and run a circle, enabling us to appreciate and overcome any challenges along the way. It is written with warmth, insight and humour. A significant contribution to changing the culture and building a better society.--Ariel Kahn, novelist and Associate Artist at the Woolf Interfaith Institute

Just wow!! This book is ALL THE THINGS when considering or creating a Circle. So many authors on this subject focus only on what will be happening during the event but these authors cover not only those essentials with great passion, insight and depth but then also speak to the 'dream space' that will lead you to create a deeply authentic-to-you, congruent and meaningful offering. They then double down on the value by walking the reader, step by step through all the technical, logistic, administrative and challenges of circle creation by sharing their personal insights and 'time in the trenches'. It's beautiful, powerful and pretty ESSENTIAL if you like to either start your journey creating Circles or want to seriously hone your craft!--Jenny Burrell, Founder of Burrell Education

Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson have written a well researched, clearly communicated and compelling story into the art and craft of how important Talking Circles are and how they work. It is strong theoretically AND practically. This is an essential read for anyone who works in the Wellness Industry - Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master, Sound Healer, Breathwork Facilitator - because all of this work essentially takes place in the sacred space of a circle. I cannot recommend this highly enough.--Benedict Beaumont, Founder of Breathing Space

A gorgeously nourishing book that will open the heart of anyone who reads it. Julia Davis and Tessa Sanderson take us on an inspiring journey, immersing us in knowledge and courage so we know how to design beautiful, inclusive, safe, and creative circles in an infinite number of ways.--Fiona Agombar, Yoga Therapist, author, and Rest Activist

A much-needed guide to the art and the skills of circle holding, this book is inviting, accessible, and full of inspiration and practical advice. If you work with groups, or you would like to, put it at the top of your reading list - you won't regret it.--Jess Glenny, somatic movement teacher, facilitator, therapist

As an individual working in hospitals and prison settings, Circle Holding was a transformational read. I was excited for the philosophies and real-time practices that offered light bulb moments in thinking about shared listening and speaking spaces. In the exploration of meaningful connection, the author's heartfelt voices were especially moving as they led us to gain intimate insight into how various communities engage with the shared values of inclusivity, personal and communal growth. I rode the wave of this book with barely a pause, and I came out the other end with a more visceral understanding of what deeply considered compassionate care can look like.--Shoshana Perry, Narrative 4 Story Exchange Facilitator & Mindfulness Educator

About the Author

Julia Davis is a circle holding trainer, yoga teacher trainer and mentor & senior yoga teacher. She is founder of Yoga Teachers Forum an organisation that provides CPD/CET training, business support and mentoring for yoga teachers. She runs a wide variety of circle holding training courses and also trains yoga teachers in Yoga Nidra & Perimenopause. She has written articles for Spectrum Magazine, The Menopause Exchange and the Yoga Teachers Forum E-Magazine. Julia has spoken on a number of podcasts including The Embodiment Podcast and Life an Inside Job on topics ranging from Menopause to Circle Holding. She lives in London, UK.

Tessa Venuti Sanderson, PhD, has been running talking circles for nine years, including at trainings, retreats, and festivals. She is a senior yoga teacher and trainer and she co-facilitates the Yoga Nidra and Circle Holding course with Julia Davis. She has written a number of books for women and children and she has written articles for Juno, Green Parenting, OM Yoga, and Mother & Baby. Tessa has spoken at a number of organisations and conferences, specifically on perinatal health. She lives in Reading, UK.